New ECW Champ to be crowned TONIGHT! ECW releases a statement regarding the Mike Awesome situation

After days of silence, ECW is finally making a statement about the Mike Awesome situation. Over the past weekend, rumors began to surface that Mike Awesome might be jumping ship to WCW for the historic Nitro in Denver. Awesome missed both of ECW's shows over the weekend, further fueling speculation that there was truth to those rumors. On Monday, Awesome was indeed on Nitro, attacking Kevin Nash during the second hour.

Since that time, ECW and WCW have had their lawyers working hard, trying to work out an agreement that would allow WCW to buy out Mike Awesome's release from ECW. As per the agreement, Awesome must appear at the ECW show in Indianapolis tonight (April 13th) to defend, and almost certainly drop, the ECW World Heavyweight title. ECW has yet to announce his opponent, further building up the excitement surrounding this situation.

Today, <a href=http://www.ecwwrestling.com>ECWWrestling.com features an official statement from ECW, regarding Mike Awesome. "Mike Awesome is still the ECW World Heavyweight Champion and he will defend the title tomorrow night, Thursday April 13 in Indianapolis at the Murat Centre. ECW, WCW and Awesome's attorneys have worked feverishly to arrange this World title match since Awesome showed up Monday on WCW Nitro and beat up 'Big Sexy' Kevin Nash."

The list of possible opponents for Awesome tonight is a mile long. Tommy Dreamer, Raven, The Sandman, Rhino, maybe even Rob Van Dam. ECWWrestling.com claims that "ECW Owner and Executive Producer, Paul Heyman was unavailable for comment as to who would challenge Awesome but ECWwrestling.com has heard from reliable (and the usual unreliable sources) that ECW fans will not be disappointed under the circumstances."

Reading something into that statement would suggest that a fan favorite like Dreamer, Van Dam, or The Sandman will get the title shot tonight.

Check back with IGN Wrestling later for results from this historic ECW house show.